Lower Neponset River Site

Boston/Milton,U.S. EPA | HAZARDOUS WASTE MA PROGRAM AT EPA NEW ENGLAND

THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM protects human health and the environment by investigating and cleaning up often- abandoned hazardous waste sites and engaging communities throughout the process. Many of these sites are complex and need long-term cleanup actions. Those responsible for contamination are held liable for cleanup costs. EPA strives to return previously contaminated land and groundwater to productive use.

SITE DESCRIPTION: KEY CONTACTS: The Lower Neponset River site is currently identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection ZANETTA PURNELL Agency (EPA) as the 3.7-mile stretch of the Neponset River from the merging of Mother Brook, U.S. EPA Community a branch of the Neponset River located upstream of Dana Avenue, Hyde Park, Massachusetts Involvement Coordinator (MA), extending downstream to the Walter Baker Dam located upstream of Adams Street, 617-918-1306 Dorchester/Milton, MA. Based on preliminary studies, this portion of the river contains sediment [email protected] contaminated with elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The Lower Neponset MEGHAN CASSIDY River channel ranges from approximately 40 feet to 300 feet wide and comprises an estimated U.S. EPA Supervisory 40 acres within or bordering the City of Boston (Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Dorchester Environmental Engineer sections) and the Town of Milton, MA. The site is bordered by residential, commercial, industrial, 617-918-1387 and public parcels of land, including the Neponset River Greenway. Historically, numerous mills [email protected] were established along this portion of the Neponset River in the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Milton, Hyde Park, and Mattapan, utilizing dams to generate power initially to turn mill grinding wheels and later to operate the large industrial mills. These mills and other industrial facilities in the area may have contributed to the river contamination. GENERAL INFO: TOLL-FREE EPA is currently considering this site for proposal to the National Priorities List (NPL). EPA is CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-888-EPA-7341 taking this action, in response to a request from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). LEARN MORE AT: www.epa.gov/superfund EPA is currently preparing the documentation, called a Hazard Ranking System (HRS) package, to make a final determination regarding the Lower Neponset River’s eligibility to inclusion on the NPL. Following proposal to the NPL, a public comment period is held before a site is finalized to the NPL.

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February 2020

SUPERFUND- NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL):

The (NPL) is a list of sites EPA determines require further detailed investigation and potential cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), often referred to as Superfund.

• Sites on NPL subject of detailed investigation, and cleanup where warranted. • Only sites on the NPL are eligible to receive federal Superfund resources for comprehensive cleanup. • Federal resources can include monetary support, as well as expertise/staffing. • Absent the use of federal resources, comprehensive cleanup strategies may not be able to be pursued.

To view more information on a NPL listing , please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-national-priorities-list-npl

To view more information on HRS, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/hrs-toolbox

To view more information on the Site Assessment Process, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-site-assessment-process